Casa del Cordón

Santo Domingo


Said to be not only one of the first European residences in the Americas, but also one of the first residences in the Western hemisphere with two floors, this was briefly occupied by Diego Columbus and his wife before they moved into their stately home down the street. Today the structure is home to Banco Popular, so visiting the house beyond the main lobby is not permitted.

Named after its impressive stone facade, which is adorned with the chiseled sash-and-cord symbol of the Franciscan order, it is also believed to be the site where Santo Domingo’s women lined up to hand over their jewels to Drake during the month he and his men held the city hostage.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santo Domingo attractions

1. Museo del Ron y la Caña

0.06 MILES

Housed in a restored 16th-century building, exhibits here celebrate rum and sugarcane, two of the country’s most important exports. Displays and…

2. Plaza España

0.06 MILES

The large open area in front of the Alcázar de Colón has been revamped many times, most recently during the 1990s in honor of the 500th anniversary of…

3. Museo del Duarte

0.07 MILES

The 1813 birthplace of Juan Pablo Duarte was converted into a modest museum and renovated in late 2016. Three rooms display documents, artifacts and…

4. Museo de las Casas Reales

0.08 MILES

Built in the Renaissance style during the 16th century, this building was the longtime seat of Spanish authority for the Caribbean region, housing the…

5. Amber World Museum

0.09 MILES

This museum features an impressive collection of amber samples from around the world and excellent exhibits explaining (in Spanish and English) amber's…

6. Reloj del Sol

0.09 MILES

Across from the Museo de las Casas Reales, this sundial was built by Governor Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda in 1753 and positioned so that officials in the…

7. Monasterio de San Francisco

0.1 MILES

The first monastery in the New World belonged to the first order of Franciscan friars who arrived to evangelize the island. Dating from 1508, the…